Barry Bonds

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Bonds was born in Riverside, California, to Patricia and Bobby Bonds, and grew up in San Carlos, California. He attended Arundel Elementary School and later Junípero Serra High School. He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the second round of the 1982 MLB draft but did not sign, instead attending Arizona State University. The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him with the sixth overall pick of the 1985 MLB draft. He made his Major League debut on May 30, 1986, at Three Rivers Stadium, starting in center field. He hit his first career home run on June 4, 1986, at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium. He played center field in 1986 but switched to left field in 1987.

In Their Own Story

The lights hummed over Three Rivers Stadium, casting long shadows across the infield dirt. Bonds stepped into the batter's box, adjusting his batting gloves with practiced calm. The crowd noise dipped to a collective hold breath as he crouched in his stance. He swung, the crack echoing off the concrete walls of the stadium, and the ball soared high toward the night sky.

Reader's Guide

Bonds played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1986 to 1992. He led NL rookies in 1986 with 16 home runs, 48 RBI, 36 stolen bases, and 65 walks. He won his first MVP award in 1990. He holds many MLB hitting records, including most career home runs (762), most home runs in a single season (73, set in 2001), and records for most walks and intentional walks. He won eight Gold Glove Awards, 12 Silver Slugger Awards, and 14 All-Star selections. He is the only MLB player with at least 500 home runs and 500 stolen bases.

Did You Know?

• Bonds was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the sixth overall pick in the 1985 MLB draft.
• He made his MLB debut on May 30, 1986, at age 21.
• Bonds switched from center field to left field in 1987.
• He is the only MLB player with at least 500 home runs and 500 stolen bases.
• Bonds was convicted of obstruction of justice in 2011 but exonerated on appeal in 2015.